Mushroom Cloud by Thomas Yeggy
“The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything save our modes of thinking and we thus drift toward unparalleled catastrophe.”
That quote from Albert Einstein handedly reinforces the lessons learned when reading Thomas J. Yeggy’s new novel, Mushroom Cloud. The book is historical fiction, with an emphasis on historical — through painstaking research, Yeggy reveals the terrifying reality of nuclear warfare through dynamic characters of his own creation.
Read on to learn what first drew him to the history of nuclear development, how his past work as a judge impacted his writing and what it takes to research such a novel so firmly rooted in real-life science and technology.
Q: Tell us how you first became interested in the history, development and control of nuclear weapons.
A: I was watching a documentary on the World at War many years ago and was horrified by the number of casualties when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed. I then started to follow documents about the Cuban Missile Crisis as they were released and realized that the military had no idea how dangerous nuclear weapons were to our existence. Everyone on the Executive Committee except Kennedy wanted to bomb and invade Cuba starting an exchange that would have destroyed civilization. They were fiddling with 10,000 megatons when all it took to kill over 200,000 in Japan was 30 kilotons.
Q: How did your experience as a judge give you insight into the relationship between human nature and violence as a problem-solving mechanism that you include in your writing?
A: I would have to say that the substance abuse cases where individuals were willing to give up their husband or wife and children for their next fix became very disheartening. Then there was the violence associated with that hedonistic desire where the substance abuser would maim or kill for their next hit. Then comes the criminal element that has total disregard for the life or well-being of another but is just concerned with how a course of conduct affects them. I touch on this in the beginning of book one, Mushroom Cloud, when I discuss Hobbs, Plato, Kant and others to prepare the reader for my ideal society at the end of Book III, Armageddon.
Q: Tell us about your main protagonist. Was there a real-life inspiration for Doctor Caleb Young? What are his motivations?
A: Caleb is a composite of everything good about the scientific community that not only kept us ahead of the Soviets, but also the US military in check during the early Cold War. James Killian, James Baker, Edward Purcell and Herman Kahn would be just a few that deserve mention. Few people realize that Eisenhower left Kennedy with a situation where the field commanders could release nuclear weapons without civilian oversight. I often think about what Edwin Land, the brains behind Polaroid, said after a meeting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
“Here we were, a half dozen science geeks asking questions of the leaders of our armed forces about Soviet military threats, and these guys with enough ribbons on their chest to accessorize an Easter parade have no clue.”
Q: Your novel is described as a “fact-based historical novel.” What was your research process like for this book? How did you balance the real-life events with fictional narrative choices.
A: The research was painstakingly lengthy but enjoyable. For example, I had occasion to contact the author of Black Tuesday over Namsai. Colonel Earl McGill. He flew B-29s in Korea. He is 95 but gave me great advice and a keen insight into that era. I went through over 10,000 pages of textbooks, novels and articles. As for history I have my reservations.
Even mainstream history is not linear. I’ve taken many facts and made reasonable deductions and conclusions from them to create a history that fits my narrative. Keep in mind that my history is not contradicted by the facts but is complementary to them. For example, in Mushroom Cloud I have created two CIA operations that based upon any reasonable reading of the tea leaves had to have taken place but there is no record of them in recorded history.
Q: What do you hope your readers take away from Mushroom Cloud?
A: Egalitarian and altruistic concepts found in the education of Caleb Young. Although Mushroom Cloud should be read as an enjoyable novel with a unique perspective concerning the history of the period, readers should pierce through the verbiage to find that message. If you are unable to picture Caleb Young as that sort of an individual, then you may have missed the point and could have a problem finding meaning in the Series.
Q: What’s next on your to do list?
A: I am currently trying to find a copy of the Henry Rowen and Carl Kaysen sneak attack plan considered by JFK at the height of the Berlin 61 crisis. If I am unable to find one, I will create my own from the evidence I can gather. This plan epitomized the RAND Corporation’s No Cities/Counterforce argument of the 1950s.
Thomas J. Yeggy, a University of Iowa Law graduate, practiced law in Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois. As a mental health judge Thomas served for 25+ years, where he developed a deep understanding of life’s challenges. Authoring more than 1,500 opinions with minimal reversals, he served diligently.
Yeggy, a licensed Series 7 broker, explored nuclear weapons’ control after witnessing Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s devastation. Prompted by McNamara’s remark on the Cuban Missile Crisis, he delves into our fortunate survival in the First Strike series. Currently residing in Pensacola Beach, Florida, with his wife Eileen, he enjoys summers with grandkids Jeff and Ashley Brown. Find them at Emeis Park, Davenport, with granddogs Otis and Emme.
